Her Father's Shame

Chapter 2

“Presenting the school’s top performing student of the year, Best student of the Commercial department, Best in language, Statistics and Accounting, A special gift has been prepared by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation for being the highest scorer in this year Matura exam. Join me to welcome Madam State Secretary, Miss Leonora to present it now.” With that, every student of Institut Franco-Suisse de Genève stood up and applauded so loud that I almost instinctively closed my ears. My innocent eardrums.

A woman that was beautiful. Hold on I’m underscoring her beauty. Her elegance could be weaponized, she would probably be serving a life sentence. She was unmistakably Swiss. Her charcoal-grey suit was immaculate, tailored so precise that not a single fold appeared out of place. Beneath it, a white blouse buttoned to the throat, as her heels clicked along the marble aisle and all I could do was just stare, and I swear that I didn't drool.

Not even when the lady handed me an handkerchief. She looked like money, just like what I always envisioned myself to b. Hold on did I only tell you about he clothes? Let's move to the face and that ridiculously smooth, dark waves that fell over one shoulder. It was something that my cheap hair gel could never imitate and that face

Hold on, that face!!!

It was heavenly softly oval, framed by high cheekbones and a delicate jaw that gave her this refined, balanced professional style. But her eyes, although it looked cool and staring at it too long felt oppressive. There was something particularly striking about them; they were grey-blue, clear and reflective, colour of a Swiss mountain lake reflecting a cold morning sky. She was just too beautiful, I feel like I'm not even explaining it well, such a shame that I'm not really good with words. And guess what? All these information was just around the time she graced the room to the stage. She was now my idol that was the only thing on my mind as the photographers did their job while the students curiously while the students curiously watched the whole thing unfold, probably wondering what was so special about a government official presenting a certificate to one overly decorated student or why the Madam secretary was this good looking. I'm pretty sure it's the latter right?

However I was having a completely different experience trying to remember how to breathe. The woman stood beside Professor Keller, listening as he said something to her with a small smile. She nodded, and a few strands of her dark hair slipped forward over her shoulder.

I watched them fall.

Then I had to mentally slap myself.

Livia. What's wrong with you? You are standing in front of hundreds of people.

Act normal.

Easier said than done when the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen was standing less than ten feet away from me. Professor Keller finally gestured toward me.

“Madam State Secretary, this is Néïome Livia.” he introduced in that swizz accent that sounded almost like my dad's. Her grey-blue eyes found mine.

And BOOM! the entire auditorium disappeared. Not literally, obviously. I could still hear the photographers clicking away and the occasional whisper from the students behind me. But none of it mattered.

She looked at me “Congratulations, Miss Livia.” she said with a smile and I don't know why the smile felt fake. It's just my thinking right? Well whatever, she was too pretty. I think I'm straight but I definitely love observing God's art.

Her voice was just as beautiful as the rest of her. I meant like her face, only God knows what you're thinking 👀

"Miss Livia?" Her voice interrupted my thoughts and geez..... I was day thinking instead of replying her with thanks or something. I'm soooo embarrassed, how could I???

"I'm so sor....ry ma'am, thaaa..nk you" I stammered and I'm sure my face would be more colourful than Randen salad.

Whoosh.